Car Enters Ohio River Near Great American Ball Park, Recovery Operation Underway
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A multi-agency response is underway after a vehicle plunged into the Ohio River near Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on Thursday evening. Authorities have shifted the operation from a rescue to a recovery mission, involving multiple departments from across the region.
Initial Response and Scene Assessment
The incident was first reported around 5 p.m. following calls to 911 regarding a car entering the water from a ramp on Broadway Street. Boone County Water Rescue and Cincinnati dive teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, establishing a perimeter along the riverbank and initiating a search of the waterway. A marine unit was also deployed to assist in the operation.
Initial reports indicated uncertainty regarding whether the vehicle was occupied at the time it entered the river. An officer at the scene confirmed to WLWT that a car was indeed in the water, but could not immediately verify if anyone was inside.
Witness Account and Video Evidence
According to police radio communications, a civilian witnessed the event and promptly contacted emergency services. Officers subsequently reviewed security camera footage, confirming the vehicle’s entry into the Ohio River. A dispatcher described the vehicle’s trajectory to an officer, stating, “Maybe 30 miles an hour. It was not coasting in. It was going in pretty quick.”
Video footage captured by EarthCam provides visual confirmation of the incident. See the video at the top of the story. The video depicts a white SUV entering the water and then drifting along the current.
Investigation and Access Point
Cincinnati police have determined the vehicle entered the river through a dock area not intended for public access. The circumstances surrounding how the car gained access to this restricted area remain under investigation.
The ongoing recovery operation involves a coordinated effort from multiple agencies. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the vehicle or potential occupants, but continue to work diligently to assess the situation.
